Category Archives: Roy Richter

The NYPD’s Captains Endowment Association and Lieutenants Benevolent Association endorsed Republican Dan Donovan in the 11th Congressional District special election scheduled for May 5th. Donovan, as the Staten Island District Attorney, is well known to both unions.

Roy Richter, president of the Captains Endowment Association, cited Donovan’s personal integrity and a long-term reduction (which began before Donovan became DA) in crime on Staten Island. Both Richter and Lieutenants Benevolent Association president Lou Turco cited September 11th, both with respect to funding for ongoing security and the continuing effort to pass a reauthorization of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. Two main programs under the Zadroga Act expire in 2015.

Donovan’s remarks included a moment of silence commemorating the 12th anniversary of the murders of NYPD Detectives James Nemorin and Rodney Andrews (killed on Staten Island), the 22nd anniversary of the death of Detective Luis Lopez (killed during a buy-and-bust operation in Manhattan) and the 29th anniversary of the death of Donovan’s father. He spoke harshly of the actions of “our government” in telling World Trade Center emergency responders that “it was safe to go there, that the air quality was ok” and now “telling them that we’re not going to fund the healthcare for those brave people,” pledging to push the Zadroga Act reauthorization.

Here are selected excerpts from their statements:

The Q&A included the following:

The two union leaders spoke well of Donovan’s opponent, Democratic Council Member Vincent Gentile, noting that they have endorsed him in his council races.

At a press conference today the Captains Endowment Association and the Lieutenants Benevolent Association endorsed Republican candidate, and Staten Island District Attorney, Dan Donovan over Democratic candidate Vincent Gentile in the 11th congressional district special election. Both CEA and LBA had endorsed Gentile in his races for City Council.

Here’s how CEA President Roy Richter and LBA President Lou Turco responded when I asked for their view on Gentile.

The tentative agreements provide for 11% wage increases and run for seven years from the expiration of each union’s prior contract in 2011 or 2012. They also include expected health care savings. The tentative agreements do not appear to have catch-up of retroactive pay occurring after expiration of the new contract, as has occurred in some other labor deals struck by the de Blasio administration. Each tentative agreement must be ratified by the respective applicable union.

Upon ratification of these proposed agreements the City will, by it’s account, have reached labor agreements with 71% of its workforce. Bob Linn, the City’s chief labor negotiator, said tonight that the City is currently negotiating with all of the City’s remaining unions other than the PBA. The PBA has declared an impasse in its talks with the City and commenced the process of binding arbitration.

de Blasio Statement:

Here is Mayor de Blasio’s opening statement:

Richter Statement:

The sole labor representative to speak was Roy T. Richter, president of the Captains Endowment Association. Richter described the agreement as ” marked by a sense a fairness and also by an ability to communicate” with the City that he suggested was not present during the Bloomberg administration. Here is Richter’s full statement: